SANA - Syrian Arab News Agency

Damascus-SANA

President Ahmad al-Sharaa met Thursday with researchers and journalists from major international research centers, newspapers, and news agencies at the People’s Palace in Damascus.

President al-Sharaa answered their questions, which focused on Syrian affairs and local and regional developments, clarifying the Syrian Arab Republic’s positions on various domestic and regional issues related to Syria.

Sweida-SANA

Brigadier General Hussam al-Tahhan, commander of the Internal Security Forces in Sweida province, announced on Thursday that the Internal Security Forces have freed a number of kidnapped Sweida residents.

In a statement published by the Sweida province channel on Telegram, al-Tahhan said: “The Internal Security Forces, after continuous monitoring operations and in cooperation with the Internal Security Forces Command in Damascus countryside, have managed to free a number of kidnapped Sweida residents. Efforts are underway to hand them over to their families.

Rana/Fedaa

New York-SANA

At least 75 Palestinians, including a 17-year-old, have died due to torture in Israeli prisons since October 7, 2023.” according to a report released on Wednesday by the UN human rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The office said Israeli authorities-imposed detention conditions amounting to torture, contributing to deaths, and denied Red Cross access. Documented abuses include beatings, waterboarding, sexual and gender-based violence, and denial of food, hygiene, and medical care.

The UN stressed that such acts constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity, calling on Israel to end systematic torture and protect detainees’ right to life.

Rana/Manar

Damascus-SANA

The Syrian Journalists’ Union, in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), organized a symposium titled “The Role of Trade Unions in Promoting Press Freedom” in Damascus, focusing on safeguarding journalists’ rights in a new Syria and ensuring their independence.

Held at al-Afif Journalists’ Club and attended by media representatives and independent journalists, the symposium addressed professional and legislative challenges, and the role of unions in shaping laws that guarantee freedom of expression and provide a safe environment for journalistic work.

Mahmoud Abu Ras, a member of the Executive Office, emphasized the importance of unions in consolidating press freedom as part of the political transition. IFJ Secretary-General Anthony Bellanger reaffirmed the federation’s support for developing the media sector in line with international standards.

Bara’ Othman, Secretary for External Relations, called for coordinated efforts to strengthen freedoms, highlighting the need to care for injured and fallen journalists and to provide professional training.

Monir Zaarour, IFJ Middle East Policy Director, stressed the importance of protecting journalists from threats and holding media institutions accountable for content rather than individuals.

Participating journalists called for the creation of specialized unions, updating journalistic tools, issuing a unified press ID, and enacting legislation to reinforce professional independence.

Tuhama al-Saidi / Manar Salameh

Aleppo – SANA

Minister of Culture, Mohammad Yassin al-Saleh, visited the Afrin region in Aleppo countryside to observe the cultural and social activities taking place there.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening national ties among the components of Syrian society.

Al-Saleh stated that the visit carries a message of unity and solidarity for the people of Afrin—both Arabs and Kurds—highlighting that a unified national culture is the foundation for Syria’s future.

For his part, Saleh al-Fares, media official in Afrin administration, described the visit as a reflection of a unified national image, showcasing the cohesion and solidarity of Syrians face of challenges.

The tour featured a variety of cultural and artistic events, with participation from artists and civil society organizations dedicated to preserving local heritage and supporting Syrian cultural identity.

Adnan/Manar

Damascus-SANA

Temperatures tend to drop in the southern, central, and mountainous regions, as well as parts of the northern region, to become around or slightly above average in other regions.

Meteorology Department expected in its Thursday bulletin that the weather will be clear and relatively hot, while it will be partly cloudy over coastal and central regions, as well as rain showers are expected over parts of the coastal region, and it will be misty in the eastern and interior regions.

The winds will be westerly to southwesterly in the southern region, while they will be westerly to northwesterly in the rest of the regions, between light to moderate with active gusts exceeding 60 km/h, especially in the southern region and parts of the central region and the mountainous heights, and the sea will be light to medium in height.

Nisreen / Manar

New York, SANA- Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani is scheduled to meet with American lawmakers in Washington to discuss the permanent lifting of remaining U.S. sanctions on Syria. According to U.S. news website Axios.

Senator Lindsey Graham affirmed that he and other members of the Senate will hold talks with al-Shaibani on Thursday, to discuss specific sanctions imposed by Washington on Syria under laws such as the Caesar Act and their permanent removal.

Axios also reported that al-Shaibani is expected to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tomorrow, Friday.

This marks the first official visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Washington in over 25 years. The last such visit occurred in 1999, when then-Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Sharaa met with U.S. officials for peace negotiations with Israel.

Nawal/ Manar Salameh

Bangui-SANA

A United Nations armored personnel carrier in the Central African Republic crashed and rolled into a river outside the capital of Bangui, killing five U.N. police officers.

The vehicle that was part of a five-car MINUSCA convoy plunged into the Ombella M’poko River before crossing a bridge, the convoy was returning to another town after gathering supplies in Bangui. “According to MINUSCA spokesperson Florence Marshall.

Nisreen / Manar

Damascus – SANA

As  a part of ongoing engagement with all religious and national components, director of the General Secretariat for Political Affairs Mohammad Yasser Kahala, met Thursday  with a delegation from the Murshidiyya sect.

The delegation affirmed the Murshidiyya sect’s support for the Syrian government and their solidarity with its efforts to preserve social cohesion and strengthen national identity.

The meeting focused on the importance of unity among all segments of Syrian society during the current phase, emphasizing the principles of rights and responsibilities and the need to promote political awareness within Syrian society.

Adnan/Manar

Occupied Jerusalem, SANA-

The Israeli occupation forces committed on Wednesday a new massacre against Palestinians in Gaza City, leaving the martyrdom 13 Palestinians and wounding dozens, most of them women and children. This comes as part of the ongoing aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 2023.

WAFA news agency reported that the occupation forces targeted a group of Palestinians fleeing near Al-Shifa Hospital west of the city, resulting in a large number of casualties. This incident reflects a dangerous escalation in Israeli violations against Palestinians.

Medical sources reported 33 Palestinians martyred across the Gaza Strip, including 21 in Gaza City, as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate amid ongoing Israeli military operations.

Since October 2023, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 165,000 injured, with residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, and shelters frequently targeted.

International calls for a ceasefire, protection of civilians, and delivery of humanitarian aid continue amid international silence that raises concerns about the future of security and stability in the region.

آNisreen / Manar

Damascus, SANA-

In its first edition, the Damascus Chamber of Industry and its Countryside, in cooperation with the Syrian Chemical Society, launched the “Best Syrian Chemical Product Award 2025” during a ceremony held at the Cham Hotel in Damascus. The award aims to support the quality of national products and enhance their competitiveness locally and internationally.

The prize targets several sectors, including detergents, paints, construction chemicals, mineral oils, and cosmetics. Products will be evaluated based on quality, innovation, environmental compliance, and technical and economic safety.

Mohammad Ayman Mawlawi, President of Damascus and its Countryside Industry Chamber, stressed the importance of highlighting high-quality Syrian chemical products, noting that the winner will gain a marketing advantage and the right to use the award’s logo on their packaging. He added that the improved availability of raw materials is a step toward reviving the sector.

For his part, Mohammad Al-Shaer, Head of Syrian Chemical Society, said the award represents a partnership between the industrial sector and the scientific community, aiming to honor outstanding products and strengthen consumer confidence both locally and internationally.

Wafaa Abu Labda, Head of the Chemical Sector at the Chamber, emphasized that the award encourages manufacturers to develop their products in line with international standards and opens new opportunities for export. She noted that a specialized jury will select winners in six main categories.

Applications will be accepted starting October 1 until the end of the month, with results to be announced on November 30.

Nawal/ Manar Salameh

Ottawa – SANA

Canada’s foreign ministry called Israel’s new ground offensive in Gaza City “horrific.”

“It worsens the humanitarian crisis and that “the Israel Government must adhere to international law.” the foreign ministry said in a post on X.

The ministry added: “Canada stands with international partners in calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and for the delivery of unrestricted humanitarian aid.”

Iman/Manar

Brussels, SANA-The European Commission has announced new measures against the Israeli occupation entity, including the suspension of bilateral support, the halting of trade privileges, and the imposition of sanctions on ministers and settlers involved in acts of violence, in response to ongoing violations in Gaza and the West Bank.

The measures include suspending provisions of the EU–Israel Association Agreement, depriving Israel of trade privileges in the European market and freezing annual allocations between 2025 and 2027, while exempting civil society organizations.

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, affirmed the Commission’s authority to adopt these measures, while EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, described the step as a “strong message,” noting that 37% of bilateral trade last year benefited from customs exemptions.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that the blocking of aid deliveries and developments on the ground had pushed the EU to take a firm stance, confirming the Union’s continued support for the Palestinians and the two-state solution.

The decision came after a legal review concluded that Israel had violated Article 2 of the agreement, which allows its suspension or legal restriction.

In contrast, Israeli officials warned that these measures could lead to international isolation if fully adopted by member states.

 Nawal/ Manar Salameh

New York – SANA

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, urged UN member states to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and to facilitate the unrestricted deployment of humanitarian operations by UN agencies, including UNRWA.

In a post on the “X” platform today, Lazzarini said:

“The UN Commission of Inquiry concluded in its report yesterday that Israel has committed genocide. Instead of cooperating with the United Nations, Israel responded by banning and excluding the main UN agency providing humanitarian assistance—UNRWA.”

Lazzarini pointed out that the commission, in its findings, stated that “Israel” committed “genocide” and obstructed trusted relief agencies, including UNRWA, from bringing in essential, life-saving aid, with the aim of causing “the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza through unlivable living conditions in the Gaza Strip.”

Iman/Manar

Abu Dhabi ,SANA

The United Arab Emirates welcomed the adoption of the roadmap announced by the Syrian government to resolve the crisis in Sweida Governorate, reaffirming its support for all steps taken by Syria to achieve its security, stability, and sovereignty over its entire territory.

The Emirates News Agency “WAM” reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated in a statement Wednesday its commitment to standing by the brotherly Syrian people and supporting all efforts aimed at fulfilling their aspirations for security, peace, a dignified life, peaceful coexistence, and development.

The ministry stressed in its statement the importance of consolidating calm to safeguard Syria and its unity, to prevent further bloodshed, ensure the protection of civilians, and uphold the sovereignty of the state and the rule of law. It also praised the positive role of Jordan and the United States in promoting security and peace in the region.

MHD Ibrahim

Aden, SANA

The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the adoption of the roadmap announced by the Syrian government to resolve the crisis in Sweida Governorate, affirming that it is a positive and significant step toward boosting stability, security, and civil peace.

In a statement reported on Wednesday by Yemen’s “Saba Net” agency, the Ministry reaffirmed its firm and unwavering stance in support of Syria’s stability, respect for its sovereignty, and the integrity of its territory, while highlighting the constructive role of Jordan and the United States in realizing the roadmap.

The Ministry called on the international community to provide full and necessary support to fulfill the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people for security, stability, and a dignified life.

MHD Ibrahim

Ankara, SANA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed on Wednesday Turkey’s full solidarity with Syria, Qatar, Lebanon, and Yemen in confronting Israeli brutality and repeated aggression.

This came during a speech Erdogan delivered while attending the foundation-laying ceremony for a new building of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital Ankara, as he underlined that his country’s foreign policy is based on supporting regional stability, promoting peace, and standing by allies in difficult times.

Erdogan explained that Turkey seeks to build a world that upholds justice and empowers the oppressed, rather than entrenching the logic of power at the expense of fairness. He pointed out that his country will not remain silent in the face of Israeli transgressions in the region, but will continue to support oppressed peoples, foremost among them the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The Turkish president also renewed his country’s unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital, stressing that the issue of Jerusalem represents the core of Muslim unity.

MHD Ibrahim

Damascus, SANA

Minister of Health Musab al-Ali discussed with a Czech delegation, headed by Kateřina Sequensová, Director General for Non-European Countries at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ways to enhance health cooperation between the two countries.

During a meeting, participants reviewed mechanisms for developing health services in Syria and empowering the health sector through partnerships.

Minister al-Ali affirmed that the Ministry is working according to a vision aimed at developing essential health services to be fair and inclusive for all Syrians, with a focus on strengthening primary healthcare centers and improving their quality, developing early cancer detection programs, enhancing infrastructure quality in terms of construction and medical equipment, and securing medications through procurement or local manufacturing to ensure pharmaceutical security.

The Minister explained the challenges facing Syria’s health sector, including deteriorating infrastructure in many hospitals, a severe shortage of medical equipment—especially those related to treating critical illnesses such as cancer and anesthesia—and a lack of essential medicines due to limited resources and capabilities.

Despite these challenges, al-Ali stressed that Syria has made significant progress over the past eight months with support from international partners, and that there are major opportunities for investment in the health sector.

The Czech side expressed its readiness to assist in providing medical equipment and renovating hospitals, in cooperation with specialized Czech companies, and to enhance ongoing communication through the Czech Embassy in Damascus, which serves as a key hub for facilitating cooperation between the two countries.

MHD Ibrahim

Beirut – SANA

A Syrian Foreign Ministry delegation, headed by Dr. Mohammad Al-Ahmad, Director of the Arab Affairs Department, met with Ibrahim Assaf Director of Political and Consular Affairs at the Lebanese Foreign Ministry in Beirut to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The ministry said in a statement on its official telegram channel that Lebanon “reaffirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Damascus – SANA

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation to the Government of National Unity in brotherly Libya for its decision to exempt citizens of the Syrian Arab Republic residing in Libya from paying the fees or fines required to settle their residency status.

The ministry said in a statement that the step reflects the depth of the fraternal relations between the two countries and peoples, and “constitutes major support” for members of the Syrian community in Libya.

A technical delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates had visited Libya last August with the aim of resolving the legal status of Syrian citizens, pending the opening of the embassy in Tripoli and the consulate in Benghazi in the coming period.